1. We have been told that Nicodemus has a very specific target in mind, ostensibly kept in the Labyrinth of Daedalus.  What is Nic trying to get his hands on and why?

I am guessing that Nicodemus' target is a person, not a thing.  For a variation on a theme, I think he wishes to obtain a prior Archive.

2. Nicodemus apparently called in a marker from Mab to get Harry on the team.  Does he have a specific plan for using Harry or did Mab twist his request?  Which of Harry's capabilities will he admit to needing, and (given that this is Nicodemus after all), which abilities is he scheming for Harry to use?

I think Mab twisted Nic's request, because I am certain Mab is aware that Harry has had some success twarting Nic in the past, as well as a lot of practice in turning Faerie obligations sideways, a la Gruff Doughnut Delivery.   Harry is her way to honor her obligation in letter and thwart it in spirit.

3. Jim has mentioned that the book will be "Ocean's Eleven".  Who else did Nicodemus recruit?  How will they interact with Harry?

Kincaid, because Nic's an ass.
Mavra, we've not seen her in a while.
+ your host of bads we have heard of by reputation or Harry will be introducing to us, either way
I suspect a member of the White Council of wizards, which will make Harry's new status a subject for their attention in the book after Skin Game.

4. Harry's general method of operation is to call on his friends for help.  In this book, Harry is (initially) allowed one extra backup member on the crew.  Who will it be?  Which of Harry's other allies will "interfere" before the plot is over?  9/10/13 an interview was published that answers the first half of this question.  (edit:  Sort of)  Those that guessed what he said in that interview (at least partially) have been logged by the curators, but this will probably go down as some kind of extra credit or something, so keep Predictin!  (edit:  And things might not be binary simple...)^-Serack

Leaving this blank, since the answers are apparent'y already out there.

5. This is a Denarian book, so (unlike the last "end of the world" showdown), the Swords will almost certainly be present.  In fact, there have been various hints...  Which Sword wielders will appear in the next book and how will their interference/help affect the plot?

Sanya - Edited, had the name as "Sasha" prior
Murphy takes up a sword and keeps it this time
no idea

6. Mab is apparently against Nicodemus succeeding in this heist.  In the Cold Days, we found that Mab had complex reasons for wanting Harry to kill Maeve.  What are Mab's reasons in this book?  Is it simple thwarting or is there something deeper?

Simple thwarting.  The debt to Nic is embarassing and otherwise irksome, and Harry is a perfect riposte.   In a way, it's just more devious than any other subterranean machination Mab could have in mind.

7. At the end of Cold Days, Harry needs to stay on the island to keep his growing headaches at bay.  The start of Skin Games implies that those headaches will need to be resolved by the end of the book.  Who or what is causing those headaches, and how will the whole thing get resolved by the end of the book?

Lash as a separate, sovereign entity to Lasciel.

8.  One of the key components of the "Ocean's Eleven" movie is that there is a final twist/reveal.  Given that we've got Nicodemus, Harry, Mab, and potentially Hades (and who knows who else) all trying to get the better of each other, if there's one thing you can count on it's some sort of last minute quintuple-cross.  What will be the nature of the twist and how will it all fall out?

Nic's real game has nothing to do with stealing anything from Hades - it is a distraction for causing more uproar in Winter Faerie.  Arctis Tor was test in concept, the real action happens at the Wall.

9.  (Extra Credit) There are many WAG ("Wild A$$ Guess") theories on the boards, some crazier than others.  Write up to three WAG theories (or make up your own) you believe are correct that will be confirmed (or at least have evidence in favor of) in Skin Games.

Cowl is Judas Iscariot, the original Denarian and Nic's superior.
The Merlin was assassinated off scene by the Black Council, and Eb's been fingered for it and is himself personally on the warpath against whomever did it.

10. (Extra Credit) This is that "free form" question where you can come up with anything else you think will be in this book.  Specific quotes Harry might say (will he actually quote Ocean's Eleven?  The movie will have come out already in Harry's timeline)? Tidbits about the White Council? The fate of Molly? Write down anything you want.  Note that whatever you write must be specifically mentioned or hinted at in Skin Games in order to be worth credit. 


Harry belittles some member of the heist by likening them to Sammy Davis Jr. with respect to the Frank Sinatra movie.

Molly has a Galadriel-when-offered-the-ring moment.

Harry references the Great Muppet Caper, "He brought the paper towels!"

I live in Pittsfield, Mass.

i don't think i will find many players in town(although Proven Guilty has been checked out of my libary almost as soon as we got it) but as soon as it comes out i'm ordering it and going to run a game with my group. thats my battletech, d&d, swrpg and other games if anyone is in the area andwants to play sometime.

There's a positively virulent Battletech group not too far east of you, out the Boston way.  At least, I think they are still there, that was where I last found them (alas, to play Heavy Gear).  There is also a nice convention not too far west of you, the Schenechtedy Wargamers Association or some such thing. 

I'm in Attleboro, MA.   Usually end up driving to Boston or the Cape to get some gaming in.

Mortal, played in the Professor Quartermass mode.  All the wonder of the science I know and understand, brought to bear in a world of wierdness.

Bob, aka Hrothbert of Bainbridge


The 16th Century:  Hrothbert learns some showtunes.

I love your attention to detail.  One hopes that Bob's threat may be realized in a future episode.

OK, then, a question (well, two) about the series before it hits the airwaves:

* How & when will it be determined whether the series is picked up to continue for second and consecutive seasons?

and related to that

* How might we as viewers best support the show to help ensure that we might enjoy second and consecutive seasons?


So far, I like what I little I have seen of the Dresden Files as a series, and certainly am avidly supporting the books from which it has been derived.  However this is me speaking as someone who has felt burned by television networks in general and the Sci-Fi channel in particular.  I would rather not see this show go the way of Firefly or Farscape.